Sly the Dragonfly [Hardcover]

Patricia Derrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Sly the Dragonfly loves to fly high. 'I hear the wind whistling through my wings. It makes my heart wake up and sing'. Sly encourages young readers to be the best that they can be. Text is sung to an original musical CD. Each book includes an original musical CD attached to back inside cover. 32 pages include teacher notes, science notes, musical score

Editorial Reviews

Review

The rhyming and phonics, both crucial elements of language development, will help children to develop critical language skills. But the children will not notice that they are learning as they read and sing along to the simple stories. They will be too busy giggling at the silly illustrations and dancing to the lively tunes. --Lyda Whiting, Awareness Magazine

The inclusion of a musical CD is ingenious. It elevates the books to more than a reading experience. By employing the musical CD, the author gives the teacher more tools for teaching. --Writer's Digest

This series of brightly-colored picture books is specifically designed for the amusement of children ages 2 to 8. The texts emphasize rhythm, rhyme and repetition, while each charming and lively volume is accompanied by the inclusion of a 5-minute musical audio CD. . . . Enthusiastically recommended. --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Author Patricia Derrick, holds a BS and M.Ed in Education, University of Utah. Patricia has been writing children's rhyming verses for 30 years, using them in her Montessori schools. Those rhyming verses evolved into children's books. The original song on the accompanying CD, sings the words to the text of the book. By singing the song, the child is able to follow along with the words in the book. Soon the child is able to read along in the book.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Animalations, LLC; Second edition (September 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933818166
• ISBN-13: 978-1933818160
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,333,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patricia Derrick was born in Van Nuys, California in 1947, becoming a public school teacher at age 20. Patricia has owned and operated early learning and Montessori Schools for 32 years. Animalations books are a result many years of working with children in her schools to find new ways to develop language and reading skills. Most Animalations books have an original song that sings the words in the text of the book. When children learn the song, they can read along in the book, even if they are pre-readers. Patricia holds 16 national awards for her books and recently created Intellitale Video Series as an audio and visual experience for very young children developing language skills.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Do yourself a favor and hide the CD, September 30, 2010

By 

Helen Lee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sly the Dragonfly (Hardcover)

For the record, I, Helen's husband, am writing this review. And I have to be honest - this is a nice little book. Good illustrations, quality paper and binding, and my kids like it.

Then one ill-fated day my son discovered the music CD in the back.

It is a glorious trifecta of cheesy lyrics, annoying singing voices, and a completely contrived tune. If you have any musical sense at all, you will know that you can't just put any old words to music. Don't think so? Try setting the dictionary to music. I thought the kids had made up their own tune while they read the book, the tune was that completely random!! I can't imagine how embarrassed I would be if I were one of the singers on the CD, let alone the composer of that tune.

Oh the irony. My kids actually like it. They almost have the thing memorized (and sadly so do I).

I beg you, do yourself a favor and check out the youtube video before you buy. Then imagine that tune in YOUR home. Thankfully we found this book at the library, so we can return it . . . Soon.